<html><body>
Australia's biggest mortgage aggregator, AFG, has denied that the business is up for sale and has offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who can tell them who is spreading the rumours.
Rumours of the business being put up for sale have resurfaced, after doing the rounds around 12 months ago.
AFG managing director Brett McKeon dismissed the speculation and offered a reward for the successful prosecution of a defamation case against the person spreading the rumour.
“The simple truth of the matter is that AFG is in fantastic shape.
"And I would ask anyone who knows who the person or persons are that are spreading the rumour togive me a call, I may have $10,000 for them.
"Once again, I say to all those who are asking - quite simply, AFG is not for sale. Andto the person or persons spreading the rumour – enough!”
AFG, which processed around $3.6 billion in mortgages in June and has around 1,800 mortgage brokers in its network is one of the few remaining independent aggregators.
It's main aggregator rivals PLAN Australia, FAST and Choice were acquired by NAB in 2009, when the bank acquired Challenger Mortgage Management.
They now form part of NAB's Advantedge aggregator business.
Macquarie Bank is a cornerstone investor in AFG with insurance providers Allianz and Tower also holding equity.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Mortgage aggregator AFG angrily denies sales rumour and threatens legal action

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New residential listings are set to rise by double the national rate in WA with large increases also expected in Victoria and South Australia.
The RP Data new listings activity index, a guide to the number of residential dwellings that are being prepared for sale across Australia, shows a 4.9% rise for WA on a seasonally-adjusted basis followed by South Australia (4.2%) and Victoria (4.1%).
Nationally, new listings activity is rising 2.2% month-on-month according to the RP Data index for the week ending July 21.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22eleven.jpg" width="470" height="254" alt="rpdatajuly22eleven">
The RP Data Listings Index provides a lead indicator for the number of residential dwellings that are being prepared for sale across the Australian housing market.
It shows a 75% correlation with the number of new listings about to enter the market.
<div><img src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22twelve.jpg" width="470" height="217" alt="rpdatajuly22twelve"></div>
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WA leads rise in new residential property listings: RP Data

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The mortgage market picked up pace in July led by Victoria but with all markets apart from Tasmania showing momentum, according to the latest weekly RP Data Mortgage Market Index.
Victorian mortgage activity trended up 4.1% in Victoria with gains of more than 2% in NSW, Queensland and South Australia.
The index is leading indicator of mortgage market performance (and hence demand for housing) showing an 81% correlation with the ABS housing finance data series (88% using the seasonally adjusted series). 
It is based on RP Data systems monitoring more than 100,000 mortgage activity events every month across its four main finance industry platforms. 
<img alt="rpdatajuly22nine" height="250" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22nine.jpg">
As the graph below shows, mortgage activity has been trending up since early 2013.
<div><img alt="rpdatajuly22ten" height="199" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22ten.jpg"></div>
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Mortgage activity continuing to trend up led by Victoria: RP Data

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Vendors in Hobart and Brisbane - two of the weaker residential property markets - are discounting their asking prices by almost 10% in order to achieve a sale, the latest weekly data from RP Data shows.
In Hobart, a discount of nearly 10% applies to both houses and units, which are on the market for 81 days and 90 days respectively on average before selling, according to data for the week ending July 21.
Data for Brisbane shows greater discounts for houses (9.5%) than units (7.8%),
Houses and units are on the market for around a month in Sydney - the shortest time on market across all capital cities - while discounting is also modest by comparison to most other  capital cities, reflecting the strength of the market.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22seven.jpg" width="470" height="323" alt="rpdatajuly22seven">
Time on market is also high in Darwin - 81 days for houses and 93 days for units.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2013/07/chartjuly26onethumb.gif" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2013/07/chartjuly26one.gif"></a>
<div>
RP Data measures ‘Time on market’ as the average number of days between when a property is first listed for sale and the contract date.
The rate of vendor discounting is the average percentage difference between the original listing price and the final selling price.
The data is based on private treaty sales only and records without a valid sale price have been excluded from the vendor discount analysis.
The analysis also excludes results where there are less than 10o bservations
</div>
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Hobart and Brisbane vendors discounting houses by almost 10% to find buyers: RP Data

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The median price paid for a Sydney house sold via private treaty has fallen around 4% in the past three weeks, according to weekly figures compiled by RP Data.
The figures are noteworthy because while auction results make headlines, private treaty sales represent around 85% of all dwelling sales across the country.
For the week ending July 21, RP Data records a Sydney median house price of $600,000 from 2,375 private treaty sales over the prior four weeks.
For the week ending June 30, RP Data recorded a median of $625,000 from 1,668 sales over the prior four weeks.
In contrast, Melbourne median house prices have risen from $441,750 as of June 30 to $447,750.
RP Data figures for the week ending July 21:
<img alt="rpdatajuly22five" height="292" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22five.jpg">
RP Data figures for the week ending June 30:
<img src="/images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/private_treaty_sales_rp_data.jpg" width="470" height="288" alt="private_treaty_sales_rp_data">
The statistics are calculated across houses and units sold over the most recent four week period. Records without a valid sale price have been excluded from the analysis and median prices are withheld for cities where fewer than ten sales have been recorded. 
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Sydney private treaty house prices fall 4% in three weeks: RP Data

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Sydney home values have risen 5.9% over year to July 21, according to the latest RP Data weekly market update.
It has been the strongest performing  of the five capital city markets this year, just ahead of Perth (5.2%) and a little bit further ahead of Melbourne (4%).
Across the five capital cities, home values are up 4.1% - with Brisbane (including the Gold Coast) and Adelaide weak.
The index tracks the underlying value of residential property - other indexes track sales prices, which indicate what a vendor may or may not get on the open market depending on numerous factors such as seasonality, interest rates, demand and inflation.
<img alt="rpdatajuly22one" height="263" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22one.jpg">
The graph below shows how dwelling values have been rising since bottoming out in about May last year, though at a moderate and uneven pace. <img alt="rpdatajuly22two" height="197" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/july22rpdatacharts/rpdatajuly22two.jpg">
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Sydney, Perth and Melbourne show strong annual growth in home values: RP Data

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Three out of the four major banks – NAB, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac - are tipping the RBA to cut the cash rate to 2.5% on August 6.
The key data release will be the second quarter inflation reading, which is expected to be well within the RBA’s target band of 2.5% giving it scope for further easing, “should that be required to support demand”.
Commonwealth Bank chief economist Michael Blythe said as part of an Australian Financial Review panel of economist that while the medium-term inflation outlook is deteriorating, “inflation in the very near term is set to remain low”.
“Together with an uptrend in unemployment, there will probably be a strong case for a rate cut at the August meeting,” says Blythe.
At the same time, lenders continue to cut their fixed home loan rates with it now being possible to secure a one-year fixed rate closer to 4% than 5%.
On Thursday last week, the <a href="/news">Greater Building Society</a> became the second lender to offer a one-year fixed-rate of 4.39%.
These are the lowest advertised variable and fixed mortgage rates based on listings on mortgage comparison websites <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/">ratecity.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://mozo.com.au/">Mozo.com.au</a>,  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.infochoice.com.au/">infochoice.com.au</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.finder.com.au/">finder.com.au </a> as of July 22:
Where the headline rate is the same, the lender with the lowest comparison rate gets preference.
Lowest variable rate offerings:
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="127">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="129">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="98">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="127">
Smart finance
</td>
<td valign="top" width="129">
Refinance Only - InfoChoice Exclusive Offer
</td>
<td valign="top" width="98">
4.69%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.02%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="127">
State Custodians
</td>
<td valign="top" width="129">
Peak Performance Offset
</td>
<td valign="top" width="98">
4.74%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.11%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="127">
Loans.com.au
</td>
<td valign="top" width="129">
Blackboard Special – purchases only
</td>
<td valign="top" width="98">
4.75%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
4.77%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest one-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Greater Building Society
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Ultimate Home Loan Package Standard Fixed 1 year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.39%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.47%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Newcastle Permanent
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Residential Fixed 1 year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.39%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.66%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
iMortgage.com.au
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Fusion ProPack 75
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.67%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.26%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Lowest three-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="108">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="133">
HomeloanHQ
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Rate Lock Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.69%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="108">
5.19%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="133">
UBank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
UHomeLoan for refinancing
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.73%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="108">
4.97%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Resi Home Loans
</td>
<td valign="top" width="133">
Flexi Fix - 3 Years Fixed Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.78%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="108">
5.54%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
*A comparison rate includes both the interest rate and the fees and charges relating to a loan, combined into a single percentage figure.
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The cheapest fixed and variable mortgage offerings as August 6 RBA cash rate decision looms

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A “benign” inflation reading for the second quarter of the year on Wednesday should see the RBA cut the cash rate to 2.5% on August 6, says AMP Capital chief economist, Shane Oliver.
“While solid gains are expected in prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and health, this is likely to have been offset by continuing poor pricing power as clearly evident in the NAB’s business survey resulting in a rise in the CPI of 0.5% in the quarter and 2.5% year on year,” says Oliver in his latest weekly and economic market update.
This would leave inflation at the mid-point of the RBA’s target band of between 2% and 3% providing scope for another rate cut to support demand for the non-mining sectors of the economy.
“The average of the underlying inflation measures are also expected to have increased by 0.5% in the quarter resulting in 2.3% year on year,” says Oliver.
“With both measures running around or just below the mid-point of the RBA's inflation target, inflation is not a barrier to further monetary easing."
Oliver expects a pick in the residential building sector following last week’s data releases showing a fall in housing starts and imports.
“The rising trend in building approvals suggest that the fall in housing starts will be short lived,” he says.
Taking a more holistic look at the markets, Oliver expects share markets to trend up broadly despite the potential for more volatility from such factors as the US Federal tapering its monetary stimulus policy, approaching US debt ceiling negotiations, growth in China and the growth slowdown in Australia.
He says valuations are still reasonable; “monetary conditions are likely to remain very easy with interest rate hikes a long way off in all developed countries and rates still likely to fall further in Australia; and the gradually strengthening global growth outlook points to stronger profits ahead”.
“So by year end we see further upside in global and Australian shares,” he says.
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Benign inflation reading sets scene for August rate cut: Shane Oliver

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The Melbourne median unit price rose 2.8% over the June quarter to $464,500, according to the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.
This follows the March quarter unit median being downardly revised down $456,000 to $452,000.
Unit prices marginally outperformed house prices, which recorded gains of 2.8% over the June quarter.
The strongest gains for units were recorded in the middle Melbourne suburbs, where prices were up 3.5% to $494,500.
Unit prices were up 2.6% in inner Melbourne and 1.3% in the outer suburbs.
The top peforming unit market over the quarter (with more than 30 sales) was Hawthorn with prices up 20.5% to a median of $469,250.
Over the June quarter a two-bedroom apartment  at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-hawthorn-112980723">492 Glenferrie Road </a>sold for $480,000 through Elliott Gill of Jellis Craig Bennison Mackinnon - South Yarra. It previously sold for $370,000 in March 2009, equating to annual growth of around 7%.
Another sale during the quarter was a one-bedroom apartment at 377 Burwood Road which sold for $317,000 through Reilly Waterfield of Hocking Stuart. This was above the price guide of between $285,000 and $305,000
In July a two-bedroom apartment in a  28 Pine Street, which also sold through Reilly Waterfield for $580,000. Another two-bedroom unit in the same complex sold for $550,000 in June last year.</body></html>

Melbourne unit prices up 2.8% in June quarter with Hawthorn units up 20.5%

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Median house prices in the key Victorian regional centres of Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat were flat in the June quarter in comparison to Melbourne which experienced a 2.4% increase in its house median prices, according to the latest REIV report. 
The REIV recorded a 0.8% decline in the median regional Victorian house price to $306,000 compared with $308,500 in the March quarter.
Over the past 12 months, regional house prices have gone nowhere - down a marginal 0.6% - with the vacancy rate increasing slightly from 3.3% in March to 3.7% in June.
Consistent with this the median rent for a house in regional Victoria reduced from $300 per week to $295.
The top performing regional municipality was Murrindindi in the north-east of the state, which includes the towns of Alexandra, Eildon, Kinglake and Yea, and where house prices rose 16.5% over the quarter to a median of $430,000 - they are up nearly 24% over the past 12 months.
Another strong performer was Moyne (which includes the regional town of Warrnambool), with a near 12% gain in its median house price over the June quarter to $327,000. However, prices in Moyne are still down 3.8% for the year.
There were also relatively strong regional gains in Baw Baw (5% for the quarter, 6.8% for the year), on the Surf Coast Shire (Torquay) with house prices up 4.27% over the quarter to a median of $610,000.
However, there were 7% declines in Hepburn, which includes the spa town of Daylesford ($337,000) and the Victorian Pyrenees wine region, which includes the town of Avoca, with the median house price falling $200,000 - suggesting challenges for tourism- dependent markets.
Regional Victoria by municipality (best to worst over June quarter)
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="189">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="16">
<td width="189" height="16"></td>
<td width="70"></td>
<td width="70"></td>
<td width="70"></td>
<td width="70"></td>
<td width="70"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="33">
<td height="33">Area</td>
<td width="70">Jun-13 Median</td>
<td width="70">Mar-13 Median</td>
<td width="70">Jun-12 Median</td>
<td width="70">Quarterly Change</td>
<td width="70">Annual Change</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MURRINDINDI</td>
<td align="right">$430,000</td>
<td align="right">$369,000</td>
<td align="right">$347,500</td>
<td align="right">16.53%</td>
<td align="right">23.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MOYNE</td>
<td align="right">$327,000</td>
<td align="right">$292,500</td>
<td align="right">$340,000</td>
<td align="right">11.79%</td>
<td align="right">-3.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">BAW BAW</td>
<td align="right">$315,000</td>
<td align="right">$300,000</td>
<td align="right">$295,000</td>
<td align="right">5.00%</td>
<td align="right">6.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">SURF COAST SHIRE</td>
<td align="right">$610,000</td>
<td align="right">$585,000</td>
<td align="right">$586,500</td>
<td align="right">4.27%</td>
<td align="right">4.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CAMPASPE</td>
<td align="right">$270,000</td>
<td align="right">$260,000</td>
<td align="right">$263,000</td>
<td align="right">3.85%</td>
<td align="right">2.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS</td>
<td align="right">$198,750</td>
<td align="right">$195,000</td>
<td align="right">$199,500</td>
<td align="right">1.92%</td>
<td align="right">-0.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MOUNT ALEXANDER</td>
<td align="right">$369,000</td>
<td align="right">$365,000</td>
<td align="right">$365,000</td>
<td align="right">1.10%</td>
<td align="right">1.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MACEDON RANGES</td>
<td align="right">$485,000</td>
<td align="right">$480,000</td>
<td align="right">$485,500</td>
<td align="right">1.04%</td>
<td align="right">-0.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">HORSHAM</td>
<td align="right">$220,000</td>
<td align="right">$218,000</td>
<td align="right">$210,000</td>
<td align="right">0.92%</td>
<td align="right">4.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CITY OF BALLARAT</td>
<td align="right">$287,500</td>
<td align="right">$285,000</td>
<td align="right">$285,000</td>
<td align="right">0.88%</td>
<td align="right">0.90%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">WARRNAMBOOL</td>
<td align="right">$324,500</td>
<td align="right">$322,000</td>
<td align="right">$320,000</td>
<td align="right">0.78%</td>
<td align="right">1.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">EAST GIPPSLAND</td>
<td align="right">$278,000</td>
<td align="right">$276,000</td>
<td align="right">$265,000</td>
<td align="right">0.72%</td>
<td align="right">4.90%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MITCHELL</td>
<td align="right">$320,000</td>
<td align="right">$319,000</td>
<td align="right">$319,000</td>
<td align="right">0.31%</td>
<td align="right">0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MILDURA</td>
<td align="right">$225,000</td>
<td align="right">$224,500</td>
<td align="right">$220,000</td>
<td align="right">0.22%</td>
<td align="right">2.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">BASS COAST</td>
<td align="right">$382,500</td>
<td align="right">$382,500</td>
<td align="right">$410,000</td>
<td align="right">0.00%</td>
<td align="right">-6.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CITY OF GREATER BENDIGO</td>
<td align="right">$310,000</td>
<td align="right">$310,000</td>
<td align="right">$300,000</td>
<td align="right">0.00%</td>
<td align="right">3.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CITY OF GREATER GEELONG</td>
<td align="right">$385,000</td>
<td align="right">$385,000</td>
<td align="right">$380,250</td>
<td align="right">0.00%</td>
<td align="right">1.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MOORABOOL</td>
<td align="right">$360,000</td>
<td align="right">$360,000</td>
<td align="right">$341,000</td>
<td align="right">0.00%</td>
<td align="right">5.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">QUEENSCLIFFE</td>
<td align="right">$700,000</td>
<td align="right">$700,000</td>
<td align="right">$690,000</td>
<td align="right">0.00%</td>
<td align="right">1.40%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">WODONGA</td>
<td align="right">$249,500</td>
<td align="right">$250,000</td>
<td align="right">$285,000</td>
<td align="right">-0.20%</td>
<td align="right">-12.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">SOUTH GIPPSLAND</td>
<td align="right">$238,500</td>
<td align="right">$239,000</td>
<td align="right">$265,000</td>
<td align="right">-0.21%</td>
<td align="right">-10.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">MOIRA</td>
<td align="right">$225,000</td>
<td align="right">$225,500</td>
<td align="right">$227,750</td>
<td align="right">-0.22%</td>
<td align="right">-1.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CITY OF GREATER SHEPPARTON</td>
<td align="right">$250,000</td>
<td align="right">$251,000</td>
<td align="right">$240,000</td>
<td align="right">-0.40%</td>
<td align="right">4.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">GOLDEN PLAINS</td>
<td align="right">$332,000</td>
<td align="right">$335,000</td>
<td align="right">$361,500</td>
<td align="right">-0.90%</td>
<td align="right">-8.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">WELLINGTON SHIRE</td>
<td align="right">$250,000</td>
<td align="right">$254,000</td>
<td align="right">$275,000</td>
<td align="right">-1.57%</td>
<td align="right">-9.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">ARARAT</td>
<td align="right">$150,000</td>
<td align="right">$152,500</td>
<td align="right">$170,000</td>
<td align="right">-1.64%</td>
<td align="right">-11.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CITY OF LA TROBE</td>
<td align="right">$236,250</td>
<td align="right">$243,000</td>
<td align="right">$250,000</td>
<td align="right">-2.78%</td>
<td align="right">-5.50%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">GLENELG</td>
<td align="right">$240,000</td>
<td align="right">$250,000</td>
<td align="right">$252,000</td>
<td align="right">-4.00%</td>
<td align="right">-4.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">STRATHBOGIE</td>
<td align="right">$302,500</td>
<td align="right">$316,250</td>
<td align="right">$242,500</td>
<td align="right">-4.35%</td>
<td align="right">24.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">CORANGAMITE</td>
<td align="right">$200,000</td>
<td align="right">$212,000</td>
<td align="right">$162,500</td>
<td align="right">-5.66%</td>
<td align="right">23.10%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">PYRENEES</td>
<td align="right">$200,000</td>
<td align="right">$215,000</td>
<td align="right">$210,000</td>
<td align="right">-6.98%</td>
<td align="right">-4.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16">
<td height="16">HEPBURN</td>
<td align="right">$337,000</td>
<td align="right">$362,500</td>
<td align="right">$368,000</td>
<td align="right">-7.03%</td>
<td align="right">-8.40%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/News_Publications/News%20Archive.aspx?newsID=%7BE2DD0950-484E-44A2-A119-04A66B1E4F27%7D&amp;title=Regional%20house%20prices%20stable%20in%20the%20June%20quarter">REIV</a>
The major regional markets were flat.
"Median house prices in key regional centres were stable with a 0.9% rise in Ballarat to $287,500; no change to the $310,000 recorded in Bendigo during the March quarter; and no change to the $385,000 recorded a quarter ago in Geelong," REIV CEO Enzo Raimondo said.
The top performing suburbs with the largest quarterly change in median prices in these three cities were Lake Wendouree in Ballarat with 13.88% and median price of $595,000, Maiden Gully in Greater Bendigo with 6.30% (median price of $425,000) and Barwon Heads in Greater Geelong with 11.03% (median of $755,000).
The Geelong market appears to have taken the recent announcements of job cuts or future job cuts at Ford, Target and other companies in its stride. House prices are up 1.2% over the past 12 months with Barwon Heads prices up 17.1% over the past 12 months and East Geelong prices up an impressive 21.4% over the past 12 months to a median of $437,000.
Outside of the main regional centres, the results were a mixed bag of the June quarter.
Many regional markets recorded either flat or declining house prices with Shepparton, house prices down 0.4% to a median of $250,000, Horsham recording a modest gain of 0.8% to a median of $220,000, Mildura up 0.22% to a median of $225,000 and prices almost unchanged in Mitchell, Moira and Moorabaool.
The REIV notes that demand was strong in the Macedon Ranges and the Mount Alexander Shire with a 1% and 1.1% rise respectively. 
"These two municipalities are part of the popular Melbourne to Bendigo corridor and as the data is based on the sales over the twelve months to end of each quarter the change is quite significant," says the REIV's spokesperson Robert Larocca.
Picture courtesy of goodmove.vic.gov.au.
</body></html>

Regional Victorian house prices flat in June quarter, but Murrindindi among growth spots

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

<main data-perf-region="main">
Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Larry Schlesinger

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